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// DOSSIER — croatian-court-approves-extradition-nord-stream-sabotage-suspect
Croatian Court Approves Extradition of Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect to Germany
REL_TIME: 26 Sep 2026 12:12Z · LANG: EN
A district court in Pula, Croatia, has authorized the extradition of Ukrainian diving instructor Volodymyr Zhuravlyov to Germany. Zhuravlyov is a primary suspect in the September 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Despite a previous refusal by a Polish court to extradite him in 2025, the Croatian court ruled that the Polish decision was not binding. The defense, labeling the ruling as politically motivated, intends to appeal the decision to the Higher Criminal Court of Croatia, while the suspect has reportedly threatened an indefinite hunger strike.
// Background
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines were critical energy infrastructure designed to transport Russian gas to Germany. On September 26, 2022, three of the four lines were destroyed by undersea explosions near Denmark's Bornholm Island. The incident occurred during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and has remained a point of significant diplomatic tension between Germany, Ukraine, and Russia.
// Key Developments
- The Pula District Court approved the extradition on September 18, 2026, following a European arrest warrant.
- Zhuravlyov was arrested in Croatia on August 19, 2026, while reportedly consulting on a film about the Nord Stream attack.
- German charges against the suspect include unconstitutional sabotage and war crimes involving damage to civilian objects.
- The suspect faces a potential 15-year prison sentence if convicted in Germany.
- A second suspect, Serhii Kuznetsov, was already extradited from Italy and faces trial in Hamburg in October 2026.
// Timeline
-
Explosions damage the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
-
Germany issues the first European arrest warrant for Volodymyr Zhuravlyov.
-
A Warsaw court refuses to extradite Zhuravlyov to Germany and releases him.
-
Co-suspect Serhii Kuznetsov is extradited from Italy to Germany.
-
Zhuravlyov is arrested in Pula, Croatia, under a renewed German warrant.
-
Croatian court issues the ruling authorizing Zhuravlyov's extradition.
-
Scheduled start of the trial for Serhii Kuznetsov in Hamburg.
// Perspectives
[German Prosecutors]
Contend that Zhuravlyov was one of four divers who planted explosives on the pipelines using a rented yacht and forged documents.
[Defense Team]
Argues the case is political, denies the suspect's involvement, and claims the extradition violates the principle of not being prosecuted twice for the same offense.
[Polish Judiciary (2025)]
Refused extradition on the grounds that the pipelines could be considered legitimate military targets during an armed conflict.
[Ukrainian Government]
President Zelenskyy has denied any state knowledge or involvement in the pipeline sabotage.
// Quotes
“The court's decision is biased and politically motivated.”
“The Polish court's decision is not binding on Croatia.”
“Handing Zhuravlov over to Germany was not in Poland's interests.”
